Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
A Picture of the Reslored Temple. EZEKIEL XL. A Description of the Gate* to It had been .sometimes turned to common uses; e.g., Jeremiah was imprisoned in one (Jeremiah 20. 2; 29.20), But now all these were to be holy to the I,,ord. Tne gates and doorways to the city of (iod were to be imprinted in their architecture with the idea of the exclusion of everything defiled (Revelation 21.27). The east gate was to be especially sacred, as it was through it the glory of God had departed (ch. 11. 2:3), and tlirough it the glory was to return (ch. 43. 1, 2; 44. 2, 3). 6. tlve stairs—.seven in number {v. 26). tl«resl>old—the sill. [Faikbairn.] othei threshold—Fairbairn considers there is but one threshold, and tranxlutcs, "even the one threshold, one rod broatl." But there is another threshold mentioiieii in v.
JO: 10. IS). "A tpmple with sacriflces now would be a denial of the al\-siifflc-ipnoy of the sacri Hne of Christ. He who sacrificed before confessed the Messiah; He who should sacrifice now would solemnly deny him." [Dou-
GI.AS.J These difficulties, however, may be all seemmc/, not real. Faitli accepts God's word as it is, waiis for tlie event, sure that it will clear up all such ditficulties. Perhaps, as some think, the beau-ideal of a sacred commonwealth is given according to the tlien existing pattern of temple-sei-vices, which would be the imagery most familiar to the proplietand his hearers at the time. The minute ])articularizing of details is in accordance with Ezekiel's style, even in describing purely ideal scenes. The old temple embodied in visible forms and rites spiritual truths affecting the people even when absent from it. So this ideal temple is made in tlie absence of the outward temple to serve by description the same purpose of symboli-
7. The two thresholds here seem to be the upiier and the lower. 1. chamber—These chambers were for the use of the Levites who watched at the temple gates; guard' c/i«w6er.s (2 Kings 22.4; 1 Chiton icles 9.26,27); also for depositing utensils and musical instruments in. 9 post*— projecting column-faced fronts of the sides of the doorway, opposite to one another. VZ. space—rather, "the boundary." 16. narrow—latticed. [Henderson.] The ancients had no glass, so they had them latticed, narrow in the interior of the walls, and widening at the exterior. "Made fast," or " firmly fixed in the chambers." [Maueer.] arches—ratlier, " porches." pavement—tesselated mosaic (Esther 1.6). chambers—serving as lo'lgings for the priests on duty in the temple, and as receptacles of the tithes of salt, wine and oil. 18. The higher pavement was level with the entrance of the gates, the lower was on either side of the raised pavement thus formed. Whereas Solomon's temple had an outer court open to alterations and even idolatrous innovations (2 Kings 23. II, 12; I Chroncal instruction as the old literal temple did by forms and acts. As in the beginning God promised to be a "sanctuary" (ch. II. 16) to the captives at the Chebar, so now at the close is promised a complete restoration and realization of the theocratic worship and polity under Messiah ill its noblest ideal (of. Jeremiah 31. 38-40). In Revelation
21. 22 "no temple" is seen, as in the perfection of the new dispensation the accidents of place and form are no longer needed to realize to Christians what Ezekiel imparts to Jewish minds by the imagery familiar to them. In Ezekiel's temple holiness-stretches over the entire temple, so that in this there is no longer a distinction between the dill'erent parts, as in the old temple: parts left undeterminate in the latter obtain nowa Divine sanction, so that all arbitrariness is excluded. So that it is to be a perfect manifestation of the love of God to His covenant people icles 20. ,5), in this theire was to be no room for human corruptions. Its compass was exactly defined, 100 cubits ; and the fine pavement implied it was to be trodden only by clean feet (cf. Isaiah :3.5.8). 20-27. The difterent approaches corresponded in plan. In the case of these two other gates, however, no mention is made of a building with thirty chambers such as was found on the east side. Only one was needed, and it was assigned to the east as being the sacred quarter, and that most conveniently situated for the officiating priests. 33. and toward the east —an elliptical expression for "The gate of the inner court was over against the (outer) gate toward the north (just as the inner gate was over against the outer gate) toward the east." 28-37. The inner court and its gates, according to these measures viz., the measures of the outer gate. The figure and proportions of the inner answered
(chs. 40.-43. 12) ; and from it, as from a new centre of religious life, there gushes forth the fulness of blessings to tliem, and so to all people(ch. 47). [Fairbairn and HavEiiNiCK.] The temple built at the return from Babylon can only very partially have realized the model here given. The law is seemingly opposed to the gospel (Matthew .). 21, 22, 27, 28, 3:3, 34). It is not really so (cf. Matthew
5.17, 18; Romans 3.31; Galatians 3.21, 22). It is true Christ's sacrifice superseded the law sacrifices (Hebrews
H). 12-18). Israel's province may hereafter be to show the essential identity, even in the minute details of the temple sacrifices, between the law and gospel (Romans 10. 8). The ideal of the theocratic temple will then first be realized. 1. begiiming of the year—the ecclesiastical year, the first month of which was Nlsan. the city . . . thither —Jerusalem, the centre to which all the prophet's thoughts tended. 2. -visions of Go«l—Divinely-sent visions, very highmowiitaln—Moriah, very high, as compared with the plains of Babylon, still more so as to its moral elevation to the outer. 30. This verse is omitted in LXX., the Vatican MS. and others. The dimensions here of the inner gate do not correspond to the outer, though v. 28 asserts that they do. Havernick, retaining the verse, understands it of another porch looking inwards towards the temple, arches—the porch. [F'airbairn.] The columns on which the arches rest. [Henderson.] 31. eight steps —the outer porch had only seven (v. 26). 37. posts IjXX. and Vulgate read, " the porch," which answers better to v. 31
(ch. 17. 22; 20. 40). hy which—Ezekiel coming from the north is set down (as the i/cbro;; for " upon" may be truHSlaled) Mount Moriah, and sees the city-like frame of the temple stretching southuxcrd. In v.3, " God brings him thither," i. e., close up to it, so as to inspect it minutely (cf. Revelation 21.10). In this (dosing vision, as in the opening one of the book, the Divine hand is laid on the prophet, and he is borne away in the visions of God. But the scene there was by the Chebar, Jehovah having forsaken Jerusalem ; now it is the mountain of God, Jehovah having returned thither; there, the vision was calculated to inspire terror; here, hope and assurance. 3. mnn—The Old Testament manifestations of heavenly beings as men prepared men's minds for the coming incarnation, brass —resplendent, line—used forlonger measurements (Zechariah 2. 1). reed—used in measuring houses (Revelation
34. "The arches " or "porch." [Maurer.] 38. chaml>er8. . . entries lit., a chambeiand its door, by the posts t. e., at or close bij the posts or columns, where they washed the burnt offering—this does not apply to all the gates but only to the north gate. For Leviticus 1.11 directs the sacrifices to be killed north of the altar; and ch. 8.5, calls the north gate, "the gate of the altar." And i'. 40 particularly mentions the north gate. 43. hooks cooking apparatus for cooking the flesh of the sacrifices that fell to the priests. The hooks were " fastened" in the walls within the apartment, to hang the meat from, so as to roast it. The Hct>reiv comes from a root " fixed" or "placed." 44. the chambers of the singers two\n number, as proved by what follows : " and their prospect (t. e., the prospect of one) was toward the south, (and) one toward the north." So .LXX. 46. Zadok—lineally de- .scended from Aaron ; he had the high priesthood conferred on him by Solomon, who had set aside the family of Ithamar because of the part which Abiathar had taken in the rebellion of Adonijah (1 Kings 1.7; 2.20,27). 47. court , , , an hundred cubits . . . four square—not to
21. lo). It marked the straightness of the walls. 5. Measures were mostly taken from the human body. The greater cubit, the length from the elbow to the end of the mid<lle finger, a little more than two feet: e.xceeding theordinary cubit (from the elbow to the wrist)by an hand-breath, i. e., twenty-one inches in all. Cf. ch. 43. 13, with ch. 40. 5. The jv(Zm was the full breadth of the hand, three and a half liK'hes. breadth of the building-1. e., the l)Oundary wall. The iinperfectif)iis in the old temple's Ijonndnry wall were to have no place here. The buildings attached
C14
Tilt Chambers of the Temph. EZEKIEL XLI—XLIII. The Chunihert of the. Priest*
The interior of the temple slands empty, walling for HIb entrance to fill it witli His glory (ch. 4.3. 1-1-2). It is the same temple, but the courts of it liave become ditl'erent to accommodate a more numerous people. The entire compass of the temple mount lias become a holy of holies be confounded with the inner court, or court of Israel, which was open to all who had sacrifices to brina, and went round the three sides of the sacred territory 100 cubits broad. This court was 100 cubits square, and had the altar in it, in front of the temple. It was the court of the
(ch. 43. 12). l;i-15. Sum of the measures of the temple, and of the buildings behind and on the side of it. 15. galleries—terrace buildings. On the west or back of the temple, there was a separate place occupied by buildings of tlie same external dimensions as the temple, i.e., one hundred cubits square in the entire compass. [Faikbairn.J 16. covered—being tlie highest windows they were "covered " from the view below. Or else "covered" with lattice-work. 17. by measure—measurements (were taken). [Fairbairn.] iJI. appearance of the one as the appearance of the oilier—tlie appearance of the sanctuary or holy of liolics wa,s similar to that of the temple. They dilteied only in magnitude. 23. table priests, and hence is connected with those who had charge of the altar and the music. The description here is brief, as the things connected with this portion were from the first divinely regulated. 48, 49. These two verses belong to ch. 41., which treats of the temple itself, twenty . : . eleven c«ibits—in Solomon's templed Kings 6. 3) " twenty. . . fen cubits." The breadth perhaps was ten and a half;
1 Kings 6.3, designates the number by the leaser next round number, " ten ;" Ezekiel here, by the laryer number, "eleven." [Menochius.] LXX. read " twelve." he hmngUt me by the steps—they were ten in number
CHAPTER XLI.
. . . before the iHird—the altar of incense (cl). 44.16); at it, not at the table of shewbread, the priests daily ministered. It stood in front of the veil, and is therefore said to be " liefore the Lord." It is called a table, as being that at which tlie Lord will take delight in His people, !i,s at a feast. Hence its dimensions are larger than that of old—three cubits high, two broad, instead of two and one. SJ5. thick planks—a thick-plauk work at tlie threshold.
Ver. l-2fi. The Chambers and Ornaments of the Temple. 1. tabernacle—as in the measurement of the outer porch he had pointed to Solomon's temple; so here in the edifice itself, he points to the old tabernacle, which being eight boards in breadth {each one and a half cubits broad) would make in all twelve cubits, as liere. Internally it was only ten cubits. 3. length thereof—viz., of the holy place. [Fairbairn.] 3. inward—towards the most holy place. 4. thereof—of the holy of holies, before the temple—t. e„ before, or in front of tlie most holy place (so " temple" is used in 1 Kings 6.3). The angel went in and measured it, whilst Ezekiel stood In front, in the only part of the temple accessible to him. The dimensions of the two apartments are the same as in Solomon's temple, since being fixed originally bj' God, they are regarded as finally determined. 5. side chamber—the sinijular used collectively for the plural. These chambers were appendages attached to the outside of the temple, on the west, north and south ; for on the east side, the principal entrance, there were no chambers. The narrowness of the chambers was in order that the beams be supported witliout needing pillars. The plan is similar to that of the hall at Koyunjik, a large central hall, called the oracle, witli smaller rooms built round it. 6. might . . . hold, b«t
CHAPTER XLII. Ver. 1-20. Chambers of the Priests: Measurements OF THE Temple. 'Z. Before flie length of an hundred cubits— 1. e.. Before "the separate place," which was that length (ch. 41. 13). He had before spoken of chambers for the official ing priests on tlie north and south gates of the inner court (ch. 40. 44—10). He iiovj returns to take a more exact view of them. 5. sliorter— i. e., the building became narrower as it rose in lu ight. Tiie chambers were many: so " in my Father's house are many mansions " (John 14.
2); and besides these there was much "room" still left
(cf. Luke 14. 22i. Thechambers, though private, were near the temple. Prayer in our chambers is to prepare us for public devotions, and to help us in improving them. 16. five hundred reeds—LXX. substitute "cubits" fof "reeds," to escape the immense compass assigned to the whole, viz., a square of 500 rods or 3000 cubits (two'feet each; ch. 40. 5), in all a square of one and one-seventh miles. I.e., more than all ancient Jerusalem; also, there. . . not hold in . . . wall of the house—1 Kings 6. 6, tells us there were rests made in the walls of the temple for supports to the side-chambers; but the temple walls did not thereby become part of this side building; they stood separate from it. "They entered," viz., the beams of the chambers, which were three-storied, and thirty in consecutive order, entered into the wall, i. e., were made to lean on rests projecting from the wall. 7. the breadth ... so increased from the lowest ... to the highest is much space tlius left unappropriated. Fairbairn rightly supports Engli-ih Version, which agrees with the Hebrew. The vast extent is another feature marking the ideal character of the temple. It symbolizes the great enlargement of the kingdom of God, when Jehovah-Messiah shall reign at Jerusalem, and from thence to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 2.2-4; Jeremiah 3. 17; Romans i. e.,,the breadth of the internal space above was greater than that below. 8. foundations . . . six . . . cubits—
11. 12, 15). 20. wall . . . separation between . . . sanctuary and . . . profane—no longer shall the wall of partition be to separate the Jew and the Gentile (Ephesians
the sub-structure, on which the foundations rested, was a full reed of six cubits, great lit., to tlie extremity or root, viz., of the hand. [Henderson.] "To the joining," or point, where the foundation of one chamber ceased and another began. [Fairbaien.] 9. that which was left—there was an unoccupied place within chambers that l)elonged to the house. The buildings in this unoccupied place, west of the temple, and so much resembling
2. 14), but to separate the sacred from the profane. The lowuess of it renders it unfit for the purpose of defence
(tlie object of tlie wall. Revelation 21. 12). But its square form (as in the city, Revelation 21. 16) is the emblem of the kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12. 28), resting on prophets and apostles, Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone.
it in size, imply that no place was to be left which was to be held, as of old, not sacred. Manasseh (2 Kings 23. 11) had abused these "suburbs of the temple" to keeping horses sacred to the sun. All excuse for such abominations was henceforth to be taken away, the Lord claiming every space, and tilling up this also with sacred erections. [Fairbairn.] 10. thechambers—i.e., of the priests in the court: between these and the side-chambers was the wideness, &c. Whilst long details are given as to the chambers, &o., no mention is made of the ark of the covenant. Fairbairn thus interprets this : In future there was to be a perfect conformity to the Divine idea, such as there had not been before. The dwellings of His people should all become true sanctuaries of piety. Jehovah Himself, In the full display of the Divine Shekinah, shall come in
CHAPTER XLIII.
Ver. 1-27. Jehovah's Return to the Temple. Every thing was now ready for His reception. As the Shekinah-glory was the peculiar distinction of the old temple, so It was to be in the new in a degree as much more trausceiidout as the proportions of the new exceeded those of the old. The fai't that the Shekinah-glory was not in the second temple proves that it cannot be that temple which is meant in the prophecy. 3. the way of the east-the way whereby the glory had departed (ch. 11.
22,2.1), and rested on Mount Olivet (cf. Zechariah 14.4), hU voice . . . like . . . many waters—So English Version tljs rojinof the ark of the covenant (Jeremiah 3. 16, 17).
6J5
T7ic Prophet ExJtorieth lo Repentance. EZEKIEL XLIV. Ordinances for the Prince and Prie»l»,
29. 37). 27. I will accept you—(Cli. 20. 40, 41 ; Romans 12, 1; 1 Peter 2. 5.) CHAPTER XLIV.
rightly, as cli. 1. 21, "voice of the Almighty;" Revelation 1.
15; 1 1. 2, inove. Not as Fairbaikn translates, " its noise." rardt liis sloi->-—(Revelation 18. 1.) 3. when 1 came to destroy tUe city—i. e., to pronounce God's word for Its dfstiaolion. So completely did the prophets identify Ihenisilves with Him in whose name they spake. 6.
Ver. 1-31. Ordinances for the Prince and Tirit PRIEST.S. 2. shut . . . not be opened—(Job 12. 14; Isaiah tl»e man—who had been measuring the buildings (ch. 40.
3). 7. t!»e place i.e., behold the place of my throne, Ac. —the place on which your thoughts have so much dwelt (Isaiah 2. 1-3; Jeremiah 3. 17 ; Zechariah 14.16-20; Malachi
22. 22; Revelation 3. 7.) "Shut" to the people (Exodus 19.
21, '22), but open to " the prince" {v. 3), he holding the place of God in political concerns, as the priests do in spiritual. As a mark of respect to an Eastern monarch, the gate by which he enters is thenceforth shut to all otlier persons
3.1). God from the first claimed to l)e their King polit- 'fally as well as religiously : and had resisted their wish to liavea human king, as implying a rejection of Him as
(cf. Exodus 19. 24). 3. the prince—not King Messiah, as He never would offer a burnt offering for Himself, as the prince is to do (ch. 46. 4). The prince must mean tlie civil ruler under Messiah. His connection with the east gate (by which the Lord had returned to His temple) implies,
I 'le proper Head of the state. Even wlion He yielded to
"lieir wish, it was with a protest again*'*^ their king ruling except as His vicegerent. When Messiah shall reign at Jerusalem, He sliall realize then first the original idea of the theocracy, with its at once Divine and liuman king reigning in righteousness over a people all rigliteous (v. 12; Jsaiah 52. 1; .54. 13; 60. 21). I will dwell in the midst . . . for ever—(Hevelation 21.3.) 9. carcasses of their kings —It is supposed that some of their idolatrous kings were buried within tlic bounds of Solomon's temple. [Henderson.] llatlier, "the carcasses of their idols," here called " kings, tliat, as ruling under God, he is to stand in a place of peculiar nearness to God. He represents Messiali, wlio entered lieaven, the true sanctuary, by a way that none other could, viz., by His own holiness; all others must enter as sinners by faith in His blood, through grace, eat bread before the Lord—a custom connected with sacrifices (Genesis 31. 54; Exodus IS. 12; 24. 11 ; 1 t'orinthians 10.
' as liaving had lordship over them In past times
18). 4, &c. Directions as to the priests. Their acts of desecration are attributed to "the house of Israel" (i'. 6, 7), as the sins of the priesthood and of the people acted and reacted on one another; " like people, like priest" (Jeremiah 5. 31 ; Hosea 4. 9). 7. uncircuractsrd in Iieartr— Israelites circumcised outwardly, but wanting the true circumcision of the lieart (Deuteronomy 10. 16; Acts 7. 51). nncircuracised in ilesli—not having even the outward badge of the covenant people. 8. keepers . . . for yourselves— such as yourselves thought fit, not such as I approve of. Or else, "Ye have not yourselves kept the charge of my hol.v things, but have set others as keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.' [Mavrer.] 10, 11. I.cvitcs . . . sliall . . . bear (1112., the punishment of) their iniquity . . . Yet they shall be ministers—So Mark, a Levite, nephew of Barnabas (Acts 4. 36), was punished by Paul for losing an opportunity of bearing the cross of Christ, and yet was afterwards admitted into his friendship again, and showed his zeal (Acts 13, 13; 15.87; Colossians 4. 10; 2 Timothy 4. 11). One may be a believer, and that too in a distinguished place, and yet lose some special honour—be acknowledged as pious, yet be excluded from some dignity. [Bengel.] charge at tl»e gates-Belter to be "a doorkeeper in the house of God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness" (Psalm 84. 10). Though standing as a mere doorkeeper, it is in the house of God, which hath foundations; whereas he who dwells with the wicked, dwells in but shifting teiils. 15. Zad«jk—The priests of the line of Ithaniar were to be discharged from ministrations in the temple, because of their corruptions, following in the steps of Eli's sons, against whom the same denunciation was uttered (1 Samuel 2. 32. 3.j). Zadok, according to his name, which means rigl Ueovs, and his
(iaiall 26. 13); but lienceforth Jehovah, alone tlieir rightful lord, sliall be their king, and the idols that had beeu their " kfngs " would appear but as "carcasses." Heuce these defunct kings are associated with the "high places'' in v. 7. [Faimbairn.] Leviticus 26.30; Jeremiah l(i. IX, confirm this. Manasses had built altars in tlie courts of tlie temple to the host of heaven (2 Kings 21. 5;
Zi. 6). 10. show the honse . . . that they may be ashatiicd of their iniquities—When the spirituality of the C'liristi.an scheme is shown to men by the Holy Ghost, it makes them " asliamed of their iniquities." Vi. whole. . . most holy—This superlative, wliich had been used oxclusively of the holy of holies (Exodus 20. 31), was now to characterize tlie entire building. This all-pervading sanctity was to be "the law of the (whole) house," as distinguished from the Levitical law, which confined the peculi ir sanctity to a single apartment of it. 13-37. As lo tile altar of burnt oflering, which was the appointed means of access to God. 15. Altar Hebrew, "Harel," t. e., mount of God; denoting the high security to be imparled by it to the restored Israel. It was a high place, but a higli place of God, not of idols, from the altar lit., "the lion of God," Arieil (in Jsaiali 29. 1, "Ariel" is applied to Jerusjilem). Menochitjs supposes that on it four animals were carved ; the lion perhaps was the uppermost, wlienee tlie horns were made to issue. Gesenius regards the two words as expressing the hearth or yireyjtace of the altar. 10. sqnare in the four squares—square on the four sides of its sijuares. [Fairbairn.] 17. settle —ledge. [Fairbairn.] stairs— rather, "the ascent," as "steps" up to God's altar were forbidden in Exodus 20. 26. 18-27. The sacrifices here are not mere commemorative, but jiropitiatory ones. The expressions, "blood" (d. 18), and "for a sin offering" (u. 19, 21, 22), prove tiiis. In the line, were to succeed (1 Kings 2. 35; 1 Chronicles 2-1. 3), as they did not take part in tlie general apo.stasy to the same degree, and perhaps [Faiiibaiiin] tlic prophet, referring to tln'ir original slate, speaks of them as thc.v appeared when first chosen to the office. 17. linen—symbolical of purity. Wool soon induces perspiration in the sultry East, and so becomes xnicleanly. 18. bonnets—turbans. 19. not sanctify the people with tlteir garments—f 12., those peculiarly priesll.v vestments in which they mini.stered in tlie sanctuary. 20. Neitlier . . . sikave . . . heads—as mourners do (Leviticus 21. 1-5). The worshippers of the Fjyptian idols Serapis and Isis shaved their lieads; another reason wliy .lehovah's priests are not to do so. nor sut Tcr . . . lacks to grow long—as the luxurious, barbarians, and soldiei-s in warfare did. [.Ieko.me.) 21. Neiniier . . . Avlne—lest tlie holy enthusiasm of their devotion should be mistaken for inebriation, as in Peter's ease (Acts 2. 13, 15, IS). 28, I am their inlteritunce (Numbers 18.20; Deuteronomy 10.9; IS. 1; Joshua 13. 14,;«.) 30. give . . . priest tlie <lrst . , . that he nkay cause tU* l>lc Kslng to rest^—(Proverbs 'A. 9, 10; Jlalachl 3. 10.)
literal souse they can only apiily to the second temple. Under llie Chrislian dispensation they would directly oppose tlie doctrine taugiit in Hebrews 10. 1-18, viz., that Christ has by one of Tcring forever atoned for sin. However, it is posfible that they might exist with a retro-rpective reference to Clirist's sufft rings, as tlie Levitical sacrifices had a prosjiective reference to them; not propitiatory in themselves, hut menujrials to keep up the remembrance ef His propitiatory sufferings, which form the foundation of His kiiig<lom, lest tliey should be lost sight of in the glory of that kingdom. [Ije Burgh.] The particularity of tlie (lii ections make it unlikely that tliey are to be unflerstood in a merely vague spiritual sense. >iO. cleanse —lit., initke expidlim for. HI. linru it . . . wKlkont the
(.anc'tiiiiry—(Hebrews 13.11.) !4B. consecrate themselves
—lit., Jill tlieir hands, viz., with olfcrings; referring to the jnode of consecrating a priest (Exodus 29. 24, ;io). )40. jsev<-n days—referring to the original directions of Moses for seven ilays' purlllcatiou services of the altar (Exodus til 6